Martha Stewart Breaks Silence on ICE Killings After Granddaughter’s Call for Action
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Martha Stewart, long known for her measured public persona and reluctance to wade into political controversies, has publicly addressed the recent killings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a heartfelt message from her 14-year-old granddaughter. The younger Stewart, Jude, challenged her grandmother’s silence on the issue, prompting the 84-year-old media personality to speak out against the violence and call for peaceful change.
In recent weeks, the nation has been shaken by the deaths of two Minneapolis residents, Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good, both 37 years old, who were fatally shot by ICE agents under circumstances that have sparked widespread condemnation. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and renewed calls for reform within the agency.
Stewart, who has historically maintained a cautious stance on political matters to avoid alienating her diverse audience, revealed on Instagram that her granddaughter confronted her about not speaking out. Jude’s message read, “I’m not sure it’s excusable to not be speaking up right now,” a sentiment that Stewart said she took deeply to heart.
“My granddaughter wrote this to me yesterday. She is fourteen and sensitive to what is going on in our country as we all should be,” Stewart wrote. She expressed her sorrow over the current climate, lamenting the inability to openly demonstrate sympathy for immigrants and the dangers faced by peaceful protesters. “I am disheartened and sad each and every day that we cannot demonstrate our sympathy for the beleaguered, that we are told immigrants, which most of us are or descended from, are unwelcome, that we cannot show our frustration in peaceful demonstration and that we can be attacked and even killed by Federal troops,” she added.
Stewart’s evolution on political engagement is notable. While she avoided endorsing candidates in the 2020 presidential election, citing the challenge of representing a divided readership, she endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 and previously supported Hillary Clinton in 2016. After Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, she publicly congratulated him, calling him a “true entrepreneur.”
The recent tragedies involving ICE agents have galvanized many public figures to speak out. Stewart’s decision to use her platform—boasting nearly three million Instagram followers—to advocate for change has been met with praise. Social media users lauded Jude’s courage and Stewart’s willingness to listen, with comments such as “Her generation gives me hope,” and “Good for your granddaughter and good for you, Martha. Please, say more and do more. It makes a difference.”
Advocacy groups and civil rights organizations have long criticized the American Civil Liberties Union and other watchdogs have documented concerns about ICE’s use of force and the agency’s accountability. The recent killings have intensified calls for federal oversight and policy reform.
As the nation grapples with these issues, Stewart’s public statement underscores a generational shift and the growing demand for accountability within federal agencies such as ICE. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has faced increasing pressure to address these incidents transparently and to ensure the safety and rights of all individuals.
Stewart’s response, inspired by her granddaughter’s moral clarity, highlights the power of younger voices in shaping public discourse and the importance of speaking out against injustice. The dialogue sparked by this family exchange reflects a broader societal reckoning with immigration enforcement and the human cost of current policies.
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